25 Things Every Kid Should Experience

When I took my kids to the snow for the very first time a few weeks ago, their sheer delight and enthusiasm made me equal parts happy and sad. Happy because I have never, ever seen them happier and sad because I hadn’t allowed them to experience it sooner.

When I think back on my own childhood, I have treasured memories of Girl Scout camp, hunting for sea shells on the beach, horseback riding, and yes, even those sucky piano lessons. The good, the bad, and the totally awesome childhood experiences made me the woman and mom that I am today.

There are so many rich experiences to share with our children and the best part is, they don’t have to cost a lot of money. Let’s check out the 25 things every kid should experience. Please feel free to offer your suggestions in the comments below!

Being part of a team 1 of 25

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." ~Babe Ruth

Teamwork, the sweet taste of victory, and the bitterness of defeat are just a few of valuable lessons children can learn from team sports. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Camping 2 of 25

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."~Author Unknown

Every child deserves the chance to experience nature in its purest form. From hiking and roasting marshmallows, to sleeping under the stars - camping is the stuff of cherished childhood memories.[Image credit: Shutterstock]

Chores 3 of 25

"All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today."~Ralph Ransom

A little hard work never hurt anybody. Besides, why should Mom and Dad have all the fun?[Image credit: Shutterstock]

Snow 4 of 25

"A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship."~Markus Zusak

Snow is an experience to remember. Only children can block out the cold and see the beauty of snow for what it really is - a soft place to land. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Farm life 5 of 25

"Growing up on a dairy farm, you certainly learn discipline and a commitment to purpose." ~Mike Johanns

Every child should witness the hard work and dedication that goes into farm life. Oh, and the smell of cows is a memory they won't soon forget. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

A lemonade stand 6 of 25

"Once you decide to work for yourself, you never go back to work for somebody else."~Alan Sugar

Encourage your young entrepreneur at every possible opportunity. Greatness surely awaits those with the fortitude to succeed. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Flying a kite 7 of 25

"Don't be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against, not with the wind."~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Is there anything more perfect than flying a kite on a beautiful day? Didn't think so. Any excuse to look up towards the heavens is good enough for me. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Bowling 8 of 25

"Having children is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain." ~Martin Mull

Bowling is like a metaphor for life, there are lessons to be learned from the gutter. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

The fair 9 of 25

"Go to the Fair, Templeton. You will find that the conditions at the fair will surpass your wildest dreams." ~via "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all."~Harriet Van Horne

Cooking is a wonderful way to create delicious memories your child will cherish. As an added bonus, cooking reinforces math skills and the value of proper nutrition. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Fishing 11 of 25

"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers."~Herbert Hoover

The serenity of fishing is a wonderful way to reinforce the power of patience and quiet togetherness.[Image credit: Shutterstock]

Horseback riding 12 of 25

"No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle."~Winston Churchill

There's something so wild and free about horseback riding, much like childhood itself. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Giving 13 of 25

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." ~Maya Angelou

The experience of giving to those in need is one of the greatest soul treasures we can offer our children. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

The library 14 of 25

"To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one." ~Chinese saying

Give a kid a library card, and you give them the world. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

A family reunion 15 of 25

"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!"~Albert Einstein

To give your child the gift of meeting their extended family is to give the gift of belonging. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

A live stage production 16 of 25

"The theater is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life."~Arthur Miller

Whether it's Disney on Ice or Shakespeare, every child deserves the opportunity to experience the magic and beauty of the stage. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

The beach 17 of 25

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone." ~Anonymous

Kids and the beach belong together. There's nothing like the ocean to remind us of how small we really are. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Caring for a pet 18 of 25

"The dog was created especially for children. He is the god of frolic." ~Henry Ward Beecher

Pets teach our children countless life lessons in the form of an unconditional friend. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Helping fix stuff 19 of 25

"The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty as the son who neglects them."~Confucius

Fathers, cease every opportunity to teach your sons about life and home maintenance; their future bank account depends on it. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

A friendship with a special needs child 20 of 25

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein

Your child's relationship with a special needs child may be one of the most valuable friendships of their young life.[Image credit: Shutterstock]

Riding a train 21 of 25

"If God had intended us to fly, he would never have given us the railroads."~Michael Flanders

The railroad is not only a rich piece of our nation's history, it's a beautiful way to travel. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Being in a wedding 22 of 25

"Twenty-three is the best age [to get married] because you know the person FOREVER by then."~Camille, age 10

There's something absolutely precious about a child taking their role in a wedding so seriously. Plus, you probably won't get to see your son in another tuxedo until his prom night. [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Gardening 23 of 25

"I think this is what hooks one to gardening: it is the closest one can come to being present at creation." ~Phyllis Theroux

Learning about food from the source gives a whole new appreciation for our environment and its sustainability. That, and getting dirty is fun! [Image credit: Shutterstock]

Learning to swim 24 of 25

What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? ...when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning - what do you find? That you can swim? Well - life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!~Alfred Alder

Not only is learning to swim important for safety's sake, the process takes patience and practice, and more patience and practice.[Image credit: Shutterstock]

A slumber party 25 of 25

"I believe in angels, the kind Heaven sends. I am surrounded by angels, but I call them my best friends.~Anonymous

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